Hi all,

Before you say search, I did, and haven't found anything like this..

My 89 569SEL (94K miles) has been sitting in the garage for a couple months, since I don't drive it in bad weather. Hasn't been started at all.

We had a run of near 0 degree weather, and she burped out probably a half cup of transmission fluid! (suddenly, all in a very short period of time)
It ran out past the front of the car, on the smooth concrete floor, so I'm not exagerating.

I knew I had a slow leak before, but I was going to live with it for now, but now I'm affraid that the next time I take it out, I'm going to dump it down the driveway.
I haven't started it since this happened.
Here is a picture of the leak before, when I had it jacked up to see if it was the torque converter plug...(I couldn't be so lucky..note the plug in the picture)


I didn't know then all I know now from searching further, about what I should have been looking for up thru the grille, as to where it is leaking from.
I'ts too cold out to get under it again right now.
I imagine it's the pump seal though....nuthin's easy for me...

It doesn't (didn't) drip actively down the driveway as you pull out/in, but would leave about a 50 cent piece size puddle of fluid each time I parked it.
There is a fair amount of fluid blown back down the line from the grille, on the crossmember and pan.

It shifts fine.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance

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'62 VW Bug (just sold)
'69 Porsche 911T (in Germany-still there?)
'72 280 CE, 5-Spd (with the Porsche?)
'90 VW Corrado G-60
'89 560 SEL 93K

Looks like your front tranny seal is leaking to me.

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Jim

Thanks for the response Engatwork...

Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner.
Here's a couple pictures of what I'm talking about...
It looks like somebody slit her throat...



I'm just puzzled why all of a sudden, without any pressure on the system, it would do this...
Remember, it hasn't been started for a long time...
You would think that the fluid would be settled by now...

Thanks again...

__________________
'62 VW Bug (just sold)
'69 Porsche 911T (in Germany-still there?)
'72 280 CE, 5-Spd (with the Porsche?)
'90 VW Corrado G-60
'89 560 SEL 93K

The fluid drains out of the torque converter into the pan where it reaches a level that has an orifice with a seal, a very old seal, one that seals better when the car is used regularly. Plus transmission fluid is very thin - it creates a puddle that looks like more fluid than it really is. But you nevertheless have a nice leak going there. It's more likely one that leaks when the car sits than when the car is driven. But keep an eye on the fluid level. BTW, isn't this a 126 fluid leak?

actually its the front pump seal. big o ring.
r&r of trans required.

george

Front trans. seal usualy leaks more when the motor is off, because the converter sags when it's not rotating. I think this is why the front seal leaks more in cars that don't get much drive time. The seal gets deformed and dosn't seal correctly.

The large puddle may be from oil that pooled up on the engine cover and once it reached a point were it began to drip it siphoned the pool of oil off the cover.

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82 Rabbit diesel (first d), 84 Jetta turbo d (300k when sold), 83 240d (305k when sold), 84 F250 6.9d w/Banks turbo(parts truck), 86 F250 6 cyl.gasser(waiting for 6.9d), 84 300d ( 347k Sold 8/04), Y2k New Bettle TDI (185k miles), 95 740IL (wifes), 87 300TD (206k Sold 7/05), 05 Passat TDI Wagon

Thanks again for the responses guys....and for pointing out my typo in the subject..
(I tried to fix it, but it won't work...mods...help)

So here's my next question...
I'm neck deep in a remodeling job, so there's no way I can get on this tranny right now.

Under pressure should this thing hold?
I have the wonderful (B.S.) requirement in my county of having the emmissions checked every other year.
I have till Feb to get it done...(2 weeks)

I had been waiting for a break in the weather, as this is exclusively a fair weather car, before you pound me for my procrastination..

Now, a follow-up question...

While I'm replacing the o-ring seal on the pump, what else should I do while I have the legs out of her...I've read and read, but I wasn't taking notes on other subjects that came up in the search...and my eyes are starting to bleed....

On an '89, the B2 piston deal should be OK, I think...(even though you can do it on this car w/ the tranny installed...there's endless discussion on this subject)
Trans seal?
Rear main engine seal?

Suggestions/advice please..

Thanks in advance

__________________
'62 VW Bug (just sold)
'69 Porsche 911T (in Germany-still there?)
'72 280 CE, 5-Spd (with the Porsche?)
'90 VW Corrado G-60
'89 560 SEL 93K

Please....
Any advice...I'm gettin' ready to start on this thing.....

I'm really going to be pissed (not at the forum..just in general) if I do all of this work to replace a $1.00 part, and have to go thru it all over again a month later. (or have this NOT have been the problem at all, and it be another $1.00 part right next to it)
I'd just like to do any preventative maintainence/parts replacement that I can, while I'm in there.....
This is going to be a JOB!

Thanks in advance

__________________
'62 VW Bug (just sold)
'69 Porsche 911T (in Germany-still there?)
'72 280 CE, 5-Spd (with the Porsche?)
'90 VW Corrado G-60
'89 560 SEL 93K

There are two pump o-rings on the pump. The big one goes on the out side of the stator support, made of aluminum. The other is on the Pump body. To remove this one you have to disassemble the pump. And then you have the front seal. While you are in there change the B3, reverse clutches.

Hi McGyver, my 300CE did the exact same thing after sitting for a few
months , I cleaned up the mess , topped up the fluid (let it sit) and a month or so later it puked it out again . deanyel was right I believe My transmission had a year old rebuild when this first happened and when I spoke with my indy six months later he repeated what deanyel said about the torque converter emptying into the pan and causing the pan to leak. You may very well have a 'minor' front seal leak but this sudden appearance of oil is most likely the former not the latter. Good luck
Kyle

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Democracy dies in darkness, you have to kick at the darkness till it bleeds daylight